The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-01-21

regard to tho trouble Of compelling local 00iccrs
| to execute all laws.1
| Nothing WAS done ct that time, nor has any
remedy since been provided that would enable
the executive TO fulhn the duty dsvolved ON
him by the constitution. County and city ON
GERS may abuse or fail to perform their lawful
functions; they may aid, abet or encourage per
sons who are daily and hourly defying and VIC
iaung inc constitution and laws Of the State !;
they may neglect or refuse to prosecute such
Offenders even when the facts are brought to
their notice; and yet the executive has NO more
power TO compel them 70 do their duty, nor to
punish them for refusing to do il, than has any
other citizen.
Tho Governor concludes this subject by die.
claiming any desire 70 exercise autocratic au-
thofity, but he believes some legal machinery
ought TO be provided to enable the Executive to
fulfdl The requirements Of the constitution and
compel local officers 70 discharge the plain di
tes Of their positions. That intoxicating Liquors
arc sold, a. beverage, anywhere within the
limits Of Kansas u not because Of faults in our
laws touching this question. Those laws, Do.
feetive Is they are IN some features, are ample
enough in their directions. restrictions and PEN
alties to punish every person who either sells Or
buys liquors for unlawful purposes. There -
not town, city or neishborhood IN the State Ia
which IN Illegal trafac in liquors can be carried
on for single week II the local Officers Discharge
the duties plainly enjoined upon them by lsN
with zeal and fidelity.
RESULTS OF PROHIBITION.
The public sentiment Of Kansas Is overwhelm-
tngly against the liquor traffic. Thousands Of
men who o few years agp opposed prohibition
or doubted whether IL was the best method Of
dealing with the liquor traffic. have seen and
frankly acknowledged its benefcent results and
its practical success. The temptations with
which the open saloon allured the youth OF the
land to disgrace and destruction; the appetite
for liquor, bred and injured within its walls by
the treating custom; the vice, crime, poverty,
suffering and sorrow Of which it is always the
fruitful sOurce-al these evil results Of tho open
saloon have been abolished in nearly every town
and city Of Kansas. There is not an observing
man in the State who does not know that
great reform has been accomplished in Kansas
BY prohibition
RAILROADS.
The growth Of the railway system of Kansas
during the past two years has been phenom-
email. Fully 1,sJO miles OF new road have, dur.
ing that period, oeen completed, and since the
first day Of January, 1895, not less than 1,1cO
miles have been finished.
There are At present 6,O6O miles Of railway 10
operation within the limits Of the State. This
marvellous development Of our railway system,
gratifying as II Is TO the pride Of every citizen,
is nevertheless o source OF Just anxiety and ap.
prehension. While our great railway corpora
tons are, in theory, the mere creatures Of the
State, they are really organized for the personal
profit Of their owners and managers, and, unlesss
regulated and controlled by just laws, they may
exert their vast powers to injure OF Cypress the
people 1t is, therefore, alike the right and the
duty OF the State to exert its authority to protect
each and all of its citizens against extortions or
determinations by the railways. Experiences
has confirmed the opinion expressed two
years ago that tho commission system, vita
ample powers vested in the commission, is thu
best method Of dealing with or regulating rail-
roads.
The reduction Of freight rates effected by the
commissioners. during the past three years. has
been fully % per cent. There are. however,
some legal restraints and regulations which only
the law making power can provide. The rail.
way corporations should be prohibited from en-
gagilg, either directly or indirectly. in any
other business except that Of common carriers.
II these great corporations are allowed to en-
bark in commercial industrial or agricultural
pursuits individual enterprise Is paralyzed, legit
innate competition is made impossible. and the
railway companies will soon monopolize every
business that should afford full scope for the |
personal energies Of the people. Tho great and |
startling peril Of the future. indeed il IL not
danger present and immediate. lies in these vast |
and inexorablo accumulations Of capital, which |
are steadily, but surely, driving individual ef.
fort and industry from all fields Of human sctiv-
ity. It is an imperative duty Of tho law-making |
power National as we'll ~ State, to check these |
ruinous tendencies = corporate and syndicate |
and do 1t promptly, vigorously and |
thoroughly. Tho issuing Of socalled "watered |
stock" should also be prohibited under the -
1erest penblties.
Some means should also b. devised
70 compel foreign corporations 70 pay
heir Just proportion Of taxes on cars rsed
n the carrying trade Of Kansas. The Pullman
Jar Company, and dozens Of fast freight and
,ther companies, have constantly in use. in
Kansas. hundreds Of cars on which not q dollar
II tax Is ever paid.
Measures should be adopted to enforce the
Of taxes on cars thus used in Kansas
4 no other remedy can be found. the railways
" Kansas should be prohibited from using csfs
IN which taxes are not paid. 81
JOHN A. MARTIN, |